BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of March 31, 2020, the firm managed approximately $6.47 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide.

Overview

WHY HLQD?

Direct investment in corporate bonds across sectors (industrials, utilities and financials) and sells US treasury futures to reduce the performance impact caused by movements in government bond rates

Investment grade bond exposure and monthly interest rate hedging

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund seeks to track the performance of an index composed of US Dollar denominated investment grade corporate bonds.

Next:Previous:

Important Information: Capital at Risk. All financial investments involve an element of risk. Therefore, the value of your investment and the income from it will vary and your initial investment amount cannot be guaranteed.

Important Information: Important Information: The value of your investment and the income from it will vary and your initial investment amount cannot be guaranteed. ETFs trade on exchanges like stocks and are bought and sold at market prices which may be different to the net asset values of the ETFs. Two main risks related to fixed income investing are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to repay the principal and make interest payments. The fund invests in fixed interest securities issued by companies. There is a risk of default where the issuing company may not pay income or repay capital to the Fund when due. The currency hedging is designed to reduce, but cannot eliminate the impact of currency movements between the Base Currency and the currencies in which some or all of the underlying investments are transacted. Depending on the exchange rates, this may have a positive or negative impact on the performance of the Fund.

All currency hedged share classes of this fund use derivatives to hedge currency risk. The use of derivatives for a share class could pose a potential risk of contagion (also known as spill-over) to other share classes in the fund. The fund’s management company will ensure appropriate procedures are in place to minimise contagion risk to other share class. Using the drop down box directly below the name of the fund, you can view a list of all share classes in the fund – currency hedged share classes are indicated by the word “Hedged” in the name of the share class. In addition, a full list of all currency hedged share classes is available on request from the fund’s management company

The figures shown relate to past performance. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product or strategy.

Performance is shown on a Net Asset Value (NAV) basis, with gross income reinvested where applicable. Performance data is based on the net asset value (NAV) of the ETF which may not be the same as the market price of the ETF. Individual shareholders may realize returns that are different to the NAV performance.

The return of your investment may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations if your investment is made in a currency other than that used in the past performance calculation. Source: Blackrock

Performance is shown on a Net Asset Value (NAV) basis, with gross income reinvested where applicable. Performance data is based on the net asset value (NAV) of the ETF which may not be the same as the market price of the ETF. Individual shareholders may realize returns that are different to the NAV performance.

The return of your investment may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations if your investment is made in a currency other than that used in the past performance calculation. Source: Blackrock

Sustainability Characteristics

Sustainability Characteristics

Sustainability Characteristics can help investors integrate non-financial, material sustainability considerations into their investment process. These metrics enable investors to evaluate funds based on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. This analysis can provide insight into the effective management and long-term financial prospects of a fund. Learn more.

The metrics below have been provided for transparency and informational purposes only. The existence of an ESG rating is not indicative of how or whether ESG factors will be integrated into a fund. The metrics are based on MSCI Fund Ratings and, unless otherwise stated in Fund documentation and included within a Fund’s investment objective, ESG integration does not change a Fund’s investment objective or constrain the Investment Manager’s investable universe, and there is no indication that an ESG or Impact focused investment strategy or exclusionary screens will be adopted by a Fund. For more information regarding a fund's investment strategy, please see the fund's prospectus.

All data is from MSCI ESG Fund Ratings as of 01/May/2020, based on holdings as of 29/Feb/2020. As such, the funds sustainable characteristics may differ from MSCI ESG ratings from time to time.

To be included in MSCI ESG Fund Ratings, 65% of the fund’s underlying holdings (excluding cash positions) must be covered by MSCI ESG Research, the fund’s holdings date must be less than one year old, and the fund must have at least ten securities. For newly launched funds, sustainability characteristics are typically available 6 months after launch.

Business Involvement

Business Involvement

Business Involvement metrics can help investors gain a more comprehensive view of specific activities in which a fund may be exposed through its investments.

Transparency on Business Involvement metrics is not indicative of a fund’s investment objective, and, unless otherwise stated in Fund documentation and included within a Fund’s investment objective, ESG integration does not change a Fund’s investment objective or constrain the Investment Manager’s investable universe, and there is no indication that an ESG or Impact focused investment strategy or exclusionary screens will be adopted by a Fund. For more information regarding a fund's investment strategy, please see the fund's prospectus.

Review the MSCI methodology behind the Business Involvement metrics using links below.

Business Involvement metrics are calculated using MSCI ESG Research which provides a profile of each company’s specific business involvement. BlackRock leverages this research to provide a summed up view across holdings and translates it to a Fund's market value exposure to the listed Business Involvement areas above.

Business Involvement metrics are designed only to identify companies where MSCI has conducted research and identified as having involvement in the covered activity. As a result, it is possible there is additional involvement in these covered activities where MSCI does not have coverage. This information should not be used to produce comprehensive lists of companies without involvement.

Securities lending is an established and well regulated activity in the investment management industry. It involves the transfer of securities (such as shares or bonds) from a Lender (in this case, the iShares fund) to a third-party (the Borrower). The Borrower will give the Lender collateral (the Borrower’s pledge) in the form of shares, bonds or cash, and will also pay the Lender a fee. This fee provides additional income for the fund and thus can help to reduce the total cost of ownership of an ETF.

At BlackRock, securities lending is a core investment management function with dedicated trading, research and technology capabilities. The lending programme is designed to deliver superior absolute returns to clients, whilst maintaining a low risk profile. Funds participating in securities lending retain 62.5% of the income, while BlackRock receives 37.5% of the income and covers all the operational costs resulting from securities lending transactions.

Collateral Holdings shown on this page are provided on days where the fund participating in securities lending had an open loan.

12 Month Lending Summary as of 31/Mar/2020

Securities Lending Return:
0.00

Average on-loan (% of AUM):
0.99

Maximum on-loan (% of AUM):
1.74

Collateralisation (% of Loan):
106.30

as of 04/Jun/2020

Custom Columns

Name

Ticker

ISIN

SEDOL

Location

Asset Class

Weight (%)

Name

Ticker

ISIN

SEDOL

Location

Asset Class

Weight (%)

Loan/Collateral Combinations and Collateral Levels**

Collateral Types

Loan Type

Equities

Government, Supranational and Agency Bonds

Cash (Not for Reinvestment)

Equities

105%-112%

105%-106%

105%-108%

Government Bonds

110%-112%

102.5%-106%

102.5%-105%

Corporate Bonds

110%-112%

104%-106%

103.5%-105%

The information in the Collateral Holdings table relates to securities obtained in the collateral basket under the securities lending programme for the fund in question. The information contained in this material is derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources deemed by BlackRock to be reliable, is not necessarily all inclusive and is not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. The primary risk in securities lending is that a borrower will default on their commitment to return lent securities while the value of the liquidated collateral does not exceed the cost of repurchasing the securities and the fund suffers a loss in respect of the short-fall.~The information in the Lending Summary table will not be displayed for the funds that have participated in securities lending for less than 12 months.

*Annualised Securities Lending Return is calculated using unaudited 12 month net securities lending revenues to the fund divided by the average NAV of the fund over the same period. 62.5% of all securities lending income is paid directly into the fund, with BlackRock receiving 37.5% compensation which covers all operational costs. BlackRock’s policy is to disclose performance information quarterly subject to a one-month delay. This means that returns from 0/01/2015 to 31/12/2015 can be publicly disclosed from 01/02/2016.

+Maximum on-loan figure may increase or decrease over time. **Collateral parameters depend on the collateral and the loan combination, and the over collateralisation level may range from 102.5% to 112%. In this context, “Over Collateralisation” means that the aggregate market value of collateral taken will exceed the overall on-loan value. Collateral parameters are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are subject to change.

Exposure Breakdowns

Geographic exposure relates principally to the domicile of the issuers of the securities held in the product, added together and then expressed as a percentage of the product’s total holdings. However, in some instances it can reflect the location where the issuer of the securities carries out much of their business.

Credit quality ratings on underlying securities of the fund are received from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and converted to the equivalent S&P major rating category. This breakdown is provided by BlackRock and takes the median rating of the three agencies when all three agencies rate a security the lower of the two ratings if only two agencies rate a security and one rating if that is all that is provided. Unrated securities do not necessarily indicate low quality. Below investment-grade is represented by a rating of BB and below. Ratings and portfolio credit quality may change over time.

The above Sustainability Characteristics and Business Involvement metrics are not to be taken as an exhaustive list of the controversial areas of interest and are part of an extensive set of MSCI ESG metrics There may be corporate actions or other situations that may cause the Fund or Index to passively hold securities that may not comply with MSCI ESG criteria. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information. The screening applied by MSCI, the Fund’s index provider, may include revenue thresholds set by MSCI. The information displayed on this website may not include all of the screens that apply to the relevant index or the relevant Fund. These screens are described in more detail in the Fund’s prospectus and KIID and the relevant index methodology.

Certain information contained herein (the “Information”) has been provided by MSCI ESG Research LLC, a RIA under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and may include data from its affiliates (including MSCI Inc. and its subsidiaries (“MSCI”)), or third party suppliers (each an “Information Provider”), and it may not be reproduced or redisseminated in whole or in part without prior written permission. The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the US SEC or any other regulatory body. The Information may not be used to create any derivative works, or in connection with, nor does it constitute, an offer to buy or sell, or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial instrument or product or trading strategy, nor should it be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance, analysis, forecast or prediction. Some funds may be based on or linked to MSCI indexes, and MSCI may be compensated based on the fund’s assets under management or other measures. MSCI has established an information barrier between equity index research and certain Information. None of the Information in and of itself can be used to determine which securities to buy or sell or when to buy or sell them. The Information is provided “as is” and the user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information. Neither MSCI ESG Research nor any Information Party makes any representations or express or implied warranties (which are expressly disclaimed), nor shall they incur liability for any errors or omissions in the Information, or for any damages related thereto. The foregoing shall not exclude or limit any liability that may not by applicable law be excluded or limited.

Regulatory InformationiShares plc, iShares II plc, iShares III plc, iShares IV plc, iShares V plc, iShares VI plc and iShares VII plc (together 'the Companies') are open-ended investment companies with variable capital having segregated liability between their funds organised under the laws of Ireland and authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland. Most of the protections provided by the UK regulatory system do not apply to the operation of the Companies, and compensation will not be available under the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme on its default. The Companies are recognised schemes for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. BlackRock has not considered the suitability of this investment against your individual needs and risk tolerance. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. We recommend you seek financial advice prior to investing.

Restricted InvestorsThis document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares in the United States or Canada. This document is not aimed at persons who are resident in the United States, Canada or any province or territory thereof, where the companies/securities are not authorised or registered for distribution and where no prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or regulatory authority. The companies/securities may not be acquired or owned by, or acquired with the assets of, an ERISA Plan.

Risk WarningsInvestment in the products mentioned in this document may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not a guide to future performance and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product. The price of the investments may go up or down and the investor may not get back the amount invested. Your income is not fixed and may fluctuate. The value of investments involving exposure to foreign currencies can be affected by exchange rate movements. We remind you that the levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation can change.

BlackRock has not considered the suitability of this investment against your individual needs and risk tolerance. The data displayed provides summary information, investment should be made on the basis of the relevant Prospectus which is available from your Broker, Financial Adviser or BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited. We recommend you seek independent professional advice prior to investing.

In respect of the products mentioned this document is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described within. This document may not be distributed without authorisation from the manager.